Contact the Yukon Mining Recorder for assistance and information on ground open for staking, claim maps, mineral titles, assessment work, permitting and licensing of proposed exploration and mining developments. Contact the Yukon Geological Survey for maps, scientific and technical information on the geology and mineral deposits of the territory, and to apply for grassroots prospector funding.

The term “placer” is a Spanish word, meaning “a place where gold can be recovered from gravel.” As this suggests, placer mining is the technique of recovering gold from gravel. Placer deposits occur in several areas in Yukon, though historically, most of the mining has taken place near Dawson City. This area is particularly favourable for placer deposits because it is in the unglaciated part of Yukon.

Under the Placer Mining Act 386 KB, Yukon levies a royalty on all gold shipped from Yukon for export, whether in the form of gold dust as mined or bars. The royalty is computed at the rate of 2.5% of the value of the gold, or at such lesser rate as may be fixed by the Commissioner-in-Council. For this purpose, gold is valued at $15 per ounce.

Placer activities are assessed under the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act (YESAA). Assessments are conducted by the arms-length Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) or one of its six Designated Offices located throughout the Yukon. The Yukon government is decision maker and responsible for regulating and enforcing permits and licenses.

Disclaimer – LegislationThe Government of Yukon Department of Energy, Mines and Resources assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or reliability of any reproduction derived from the legislative material on this site. The legislative material on this site has been prepared for convenience of reference only and does not have official sanction.

For official versions of the Yukon Statutes and Regulations and to obtain copies of legislative documents (including Hansard, Yukon Gazette, Statutes and Regulations), contact Queen's Printer (Legislative Subscriptions) or the Inquiry Centre on the main floor of the Yukon Government Administration Building in Whitehorse.

Mirror Legislation – Existing federal acts and regulations have been "mirrored" into territorial acts and regulations effective April 1, 2003. As a result, territorial institutions are substituted for federal institutions. These acts and regulations will be used until the Yukon government develops and implements new legislation.

Background Information

Follow these links to learn more about the history of placer mining in Yukon: